10 CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN 



my observations of yesterday. Tested several mineral specimens 

 that were collected, without any results. Got the photographic 

 apparatus unpacked and ready. 



Saturday, April 6th. — Glen Helen. Bar. 27-500in., ther. 74. — 

 Steady rain set in at daylight. Went up to the station hoping to 

 do some writing, but the rain drips through the thatched roof to 

 such an extent that it is almost as bad as being outside. While at 

 the Alice Springs I heard of the discovery of silver ores in this 

 neighborhood, and was anxious to see them ; but I never saw any 

 one who had any specimens, nor could I find out who had made 

 the discovery. When I was at Mount Sonder I saw where a little 

 work had been done, but could find no trace in any specimens 

 that I brought from there. Mr. Mac Donald, the manager, gave 

 me several specimens this morning, but not in any one of them 

 could 1 find traces of anything but iron. 



Sunday, April 7th.—G\en Helen. Bar. 27'810in., ther. 72°.— 

 Took several photographs of natives — men, women, and children. 

 Two women and one man were blind. Mr. MacDonald took 

 Beetson for a ride to Mount Sonder. Fine day, high easterly 

 wind. Mr. MacDonald sent letters away by a blackfellow, to 

 meet the mail at the Mission Station. 



Mo»day, April 8th.— Glen Helen. Bar. 27-820in., ther. 62°. — 

 Not altogether satisfied with my short visit to Mount Sonder, I 

 decided to visit the spot again, and to spend a few days there pro- 

 specting. Started soon after midday, and travelled down the 

 Davenport creek for four or five miles, almost to its junction 

 with the Redbank. Then striking a little northerly across some 

 bald stony hills we reached the foot of Mount Sonder, where we 

 camped amidst the most charming and romantic mountain scenery. 

 As soon as the camels Avere unloaded, I went with Fred, to the 

 mine or silver workings. I found they had followed the underlay 

 of a reef of clay slate for 18ft., going through an ironstone crust 

 on the surface, under which were various colored clays, all charged 

 with iron. A gypsous earth seems also to have been met with. 

 Some of the small ironstone knolls in this neighborhood have 

 quite a purple appearance. Upon close inspection they are found 

 to be a decomposed shale stained on the surface with iron. Others 

 present quite a charred and blacked look, having all the appear- 

 ance of manganese, for which I at first took it. In describing 

 the rock formation of this part of the MacDonnell Range, I should 

 say that the main ranges are composed of sandstone and quartzite. 

 The lower hills at their foot, and towards the alluvial flats, through 

 which the creeks flow, are composed of clay slates and shale with 

 occasional hills of ironstone. 



Tuesday, April 9th.— Camp No. 1 1. Bar. 27'975in., ther. 40°. 

 — All of us out prospecting. 



Wednesday, April loth. — Camp No. 11. Bar. 28-975in., ther. 

 46°. — Prospecting all day, and observing for latitude till midnight, 



